(CNN) – President Barack Obama says in a new television spot that the economic plan favored by his rival Mitt Romney is a tired approach that would only favor the wealthy.

The Obama campaign says the minute-long ad, called "The Choice," will air in nine battleground states: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Obama's campaign said on Sunday they would not air any ads in Colorado through Friday in light of the shooting there last week. "The Choice" will begin airing in the state on Saturday, the Obama campaign tells CNN.

In the spot, Obama looks directly into the camera and tells voters, "Over the next four months, you have a choice to make."

The president says the choice isn't just between Democrats and Republicans, or between himself and Romney.

"It's a choice between two very different plans for our country," Obama explains. "Governor Romney's plan would cut taxes for the folks at the very top. Roll back regulations on big banks. And he says that if we do, our economy will grow and everyone will benefit. But you know what? We tried that top down approach. It's what caused the mess in the first place."

By contrast, Obama says his plan would "ask the wealthy to pay a little more so we can pay down our debt in a balanced way, so that we can afford to invest in education, manufacturing and home-grown American energy."

Obama concludes by laying out the stakes he sees in November's election: "Sometimes politics can seem very small. But the choice you face, it couldn't be bigger."

The latest spot from the Obama campaign is a sharp contrast from an ad that has been running for the past week that hits Romney for reports he outsourced jobs as a private equity executive. The ad uses graphics of various news reports over video of Romney singing "America the Beautiful."

Other spots from Obama's campaign have been similarly negative, including profiling companies that were closed after being taken over by Bain Capital, the private equity firm run by Romney.

Responding to the ad, Romney's campaign attacked the president's record on job creation and said he was "unqualified" to lead the country.

“President Obama believes that government creates jobs, not hard-working entrepreneurs and small-business owners. Not only are his ‘you didn’t build that’ comments insulting to job creators, but they also reflect how unqualified he is to lead our country toward an economic recovery. Instead of meeting with his Jobs Council, he is busy holding fundraisers, playing golf and trying to tear down Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney will never be too busy to focus on jobs and the economy and it will be his top priority as president,” said Amanda Henneberg, Romney campaign spokesperson.

soundoff(397 Responses)

Peter

To "Obama 2012 – BEND Forward America, take another 4 long years of OBAMA FAILURE". What planet do you live on? McConnell stated that their number one goal was to make Obama a one term president, hence zero cooperation. Care to elaborate on which left wing policies Obama passed? He veered right not left. How do you think Bush paid for the two wars, the tax cuts and Medicare Part B? HE BORROWED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! HE INHERITED A SURPLUS FROM CLINTON. You really are one of the ignorant right wing Republicans who are the problem.

July 24, 2012 11:31 am at 11:31 am |

Terrance Kozak

Since Obama "saved" the auto industry, please allow me to use your car (or truck) as a metaphor to describe the way Obama sees the economy. Although trillions in debt (much like driving your car with a hole in the gas tank) his solution is always to expect the man driving the Hummer to keep paying for his gas supply without stopping the leak (his spending). The US economy cannot afford 4 years more of the ineptitude.

July 24, 2012 11:32 am at 11:32 am |

ThatsIt121

You know what Mr. President? They already tried your plan in the Soviet Union and look at the mess it got them in. In contrast, 'That Top Down approach' has been tried in the USA for the last 236 years, and look where it has gotten us; the most powerful and successful nation in the history of the world. THAT is OUR choice.

And which of those laws president bush vetoed did the super majority democrat congress with the president subsequently inacted. Your argument in and of itself is not logical. Blame can never be one sided. It always runs into itself.

July 24, 2012 11:32 am at 11:32 am |

FLIndependent

Can any of you Romney supporters tell us why, if he cares so much about America and jobs, he hasn't used some of his millions to build companies here, start training/reeducation programs, start job initiatives, etc. instead of stashing his cash in off-shore accounts??? ANYONE?????

July 24, 2012 11:32 am at 11:32 am |

ugh

Here is my 2 cent TV ad for Mr. Obama, and I didn't need to have a $35,000/plate dinner fundraiser to get the message to you – How 'bout I look you in the eye Mr. Prez and tell you "that you don't have American's interest at heart – and you are only interested in pandering and B-S'ing your way back into the Whitehouse for another four years". Your policies have taken this country to the edge of the waterfall economically, and have politically weakened the United States throughout the world.

July 24, 2012 11:36 am at 11:36 am |

gwats

I'm still waiting on those Tax returns, Mr. Romney! Lead by example, the way your Father did.

July 24, 2012 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

yoshi

This guy is truly an amateur and has just thrown trillions away on food stamps, free cell phones, more disability, unpaid government loans, it's like a free for all out there. Hey, Bush and the neocons destroyed the economy and that's how the amateur got elected, I get that. So you may have voted for Obama to show you are not a racist, now vote for Romney to show you are not an idiot.

July 24, 2012 11:37 am at 11:37 am |

The Voice of Reason

Obama's four year term is almost over, and he has yet to take responsibility for the status of the economy. His policies have failed. His administration doesn't even know where the stimulus money went... Leadership starts from the top. If the top guy isn't watching his pennies, we get government spending like drunken sailors and results like Solyndra, GSA, NASA, unemployment benefits fraud, etc... Romney will bring in talented managers and watch every penny spent, which is what this country needs at this time.

July 24, 2012 11:38 am at 11:38 am |

petemg

How can we believe Obama with his accusations when he does not reveal all about his Obama care. Do you realize the government will dictate who will get what care, how much the doctors will be paid, how many hospitals will be allowed to be built, government will have access to your finances so they will have the power to withdraw money when they so choose. Many of these things Obama keeps hidden but these facts are online if you so choose to research yourself.
Also while people are concentrating on the accusations Obama has made what is Obama himself hiding. Does some of our tax money that should help our people are sent to Kenya or where ever Obama so chooses. Why does he keep his college records sealed. What were his papers on–Socialism/Communism. If he is so proud of his education why does he hide it. As president these things should be made public knowledge don't you think. Just wondering. Well many of you will make comments against me and my statements and that is okay. Just become a knowledgeable voter and research. Do not be anybody's "scapegoat".
Oh and one more thing Obama will probably blame for the faults of Obama care on MR. Romney because he started it. Sounds like an immature child on the playground. I got into trouble because so and so started it and he did worse than I did.

Obama 2012 - BEND Forward America, take another 4 long years of OBAMA FAILURE

Obama has WASTED four years in office. His number one job was to get the country back on track. Instead he USED he was handed a trillion dollar boondoggle called a "stimulus package" and passed it thinking that was all he had to do.

He then used his leftwing Democrat majority in Congress to jam a huge new government entitlement program down our throats, that will at the same time WRECK the healthcare system that 85% of Americans are happy with.

And here we are, four years later, STILL with record high unemployment, more and more people on the government dole and all Obama has to offer is leftist class warfare BS. Sadly, he mistakes the American people for European socialists. Ask Greece and now Spian how their socialism is working out for them! Yet Obama and the Democrats intend to lead us all down this road to ruin.

Wake up America. 2012 WILL be your last chance to turn BACK away from financial ruin. Or you can move FORWARD INTO THE ABYSS.

July 24, 2012 11:44 am at 11:44 am |

mm

Hey, how did that trickle down theory work out for ya!
Yeah, just as I thought...it didn't. Romney in office would be like a cancer that has been in remission for the past four years that is now killing you again. OBAMA2012

July 24, 2012 11:46 am at 11:46 am |

avoiceinthewilderness

What drives me so mad and crazy are these politicians who proclaim, "I have the better plan..." So my suggestion would be this: Offer the plan you have that is guaranteed to create jobs. Share the plan and put it into action. Let's see what it does. If it succeeds, then the writing on the wall is clear as a bell. If it doesn't, you're blowing just as much hot air as anybody else! It's easy when you're not in the "seat" to call someone else a failure, when we all know that Congress holds the keys to any meaningful change in this country. The President alone, no matter who he/she is, has very little to do (by himself/herself) where job creation is concerned. Our lawmakers are the foundation. Maybe that's where the REAL focus should fall...

July 24, 2012 11:46 am at 11:46 am |

Gary

If it's not broke don't fix it Well it's still broke . still in a war. Leftover drones spying on Americans. I live on long Island everytime it rains heavy they close the beaches because of bacteria . The environment is getting worse. Drug abuse is rampant. Energy is a joke. I am not gay Have a job work like an animal and buy insurance. I ask you what has the Pres done for my kind. What are his long range plans? If he wins again thank God it's only for one more term

July 24, 2012 11:47 am at 11:47 am |

mm

Raising taxes on the wealthiest of Americans is wrong. They are the job creators!
REALLY? Where have all the jobs been the past 11 years while they have been enjoying there tax breaks?!

July 24, 2012 11:48 am at 11:48 am |

Rob

This guys socialist dogma of attack the 'rich' didn't work in the USSR, it didn't work in Cuba and it won't work in the US. I assume the 'wealthy' business owners, the people who are called 'employers' in free enterprise countries. I love the US, but you folks are doomed if this clown gets re-elected!

July 24, 2012 11:49 am at 11:49 am |

namryan

wow, just wow, the lack of education generated by Mr. Bush education policies has prepared the next generation of right wing extremist. A recent scientific article showed that the more you are ignorant the more you believe you are competent when you are not... clear example for the right fanatics here!

July 24, 2012 11:50 am at 11:50 am |

ghostriter

udidn't, you and bend are suffering from a severe case of revisionism.

Obama has tried to reach across the aisle, but when republicans have said since Nov 2008 that they could not let him achieve anything that might make him look good, it's pretty hard to do that. Obama has compromised several times, such as keeping the Bush tax cuts in 2010, including spending cuts to proposed tax hikes in multiple bills, including the debt reduction bill that republicans are now crying about (yet Boehner got 98% of what he wanted).

And yes, govt does nice things like build roads and the like. The pooling of resources that allows us to do that as well as protect our shores and other things. That is what a society is all about. Yeah, it's done with taxpayer money, but that is really what we pay taxes for. To better our communities.

Romney's tax plans will raise taxes on everyone except his folks. He's pushing for 0 capital gains tax. So why would businesses invest in their employees when they could invest in the market? Who does that help?

Lastly, since you guys are so stuck on words, can you explain this?

ROMNEY: I know that you recognize a lot of people help you in a business. Perhaps the bank, the investors. There is no question your mom and dad, your school teachers. The people who provide roads, the fire, the police. A lot of people help. But let me ask you this. Did you build your business? If you did, raise your hand. Take that Mr. President! This is what’s happening in this country. These people are entrepreneurs.

July 24, 2012 11:51 am at 11:51 am |

mm

The GOP (Grumpy Old People) have blocked everything this president has attempted to do to improve the state of the union. The GOP set out to see him fail from the day he took office. Unfortunately, they don't care about the collateral damage their stupidity has created. That collateral damage being WE THE PEOPLE!

July 24, 2012 11:52 am at 11:52 am |

CA Liberal

The "job creators" are not doing their job. Their taxes are currently low. They were deregulated by Bush and all they managed to do with all that freedom was tank the economy. If anybody is going to get this economy started again the government is the only player with the money. The corporations have all their money stashed overseas and they are not bringing it home. I know this involves more debt but this is what gov't is for. To do what business can't or won't do. Anyway money is cheep right now, if you can get it.

July 24, 2012 11:52 am at 11:52 am |

Steve

Why do conservatives have to ignore the truth of their blocking almost every bill that was good for the middle class? Why do conservatives have to lie and say the democrats had a super majority when they in fact only had 58 senators. Why do conservatives have to ignore that big business greed and cheating caused the last recession? I suspect because Obama has the only good ideas and conservatives hate that.

July 24, 2012 11:52 am at 11:52 am |

Marty, FL

UDidn't,
Listen to the whole point.

Pres. Obama was indeed speaking about American shared contribution to build our bridges and infrastructure together so our businesses can thrive.

Obama / Biden 2012

July 24, 2012 11:53 am at 11:53 am |

reality

Bush's tax cuts and relaxing of regulations caused the economic downturn, clearly. Get real, we need good regulations and the rich don't need $100 million IRA accounts.

July 24, 2012 11:55 am at 11:55 am |

ghostriter

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell … pressed Energy Secretary Steven Chu to save a uranium enrichment facility in western Kentucky run by USEC Inc. that does contract work for the federal government. USEC is looking to expand its business with the agency through a $2 billion loan guarantee for a new facility in Piketon, Ohio, but its application stalled before the DOE.

Mr. McConnell made two personal appeals in 2009, asking Energy Secretary Steven Chu to approve as much as $235 million in federal loans for a plant to build electric vehicles in Franklin, Ky.

“I hope you will realize the importance of such job creation to Kentucky,” Mr. McConnell said in a July 2009 memo supporting an application from Zap Motor Manufacturing.

Federal lobbying disclosure records show that Mr. McConnell’s support for the project came after Zap Motor hired a Kentucky-based lobbyist, Robert Babbage, who has been a frequent contributor to Mr. McConnell’s campaigns and boasts on his own Internet site about his close ties to Mr. McConnell.